Dallas Buyers Club (2013)

In 1985 Dallas, electrician and hustler Ron Woodroof works around the system to help AIDS patients get the medication they need after he is diagnosed with the disease.

Director:

Jean-Marc Vallée

Writers:

Craig Borten, Melisa Wallack

Stars:

Matthew McConaughey, Jennifer Garner, Jared Leto

Won 3 Oscars. Another 82 wins & 81 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Matthew McConaughey	...	Ron Woodroof
Jennifer Garner	...	Eve
Jared Leto	...	Rayon
Denis O'Hare	...	Dr. Sevard
Steve Zahn	...	Tucker
Michael O'Neill	...	Richard Barkley
Dallas Roberts	...	David Wayne
Griffin Dunne	...	Dr. Vass
Kevin Rankin	...	T.J.
Donna Duplantier	...	Nurse Frazin
Deneen Tyler	...	Denise (as Deneen D. Tyler)
J.D. Evermore	...	Clint
Ian Casselberry	...	Hispanic Orderly
Noelle Wilcox	...	Kelly
Bradford Cox	...	Sunny

Storyline

Dallas 1985. Electrician and sometimes rodeo bull rider Ron Woodroof lives hard, which includes heavy smoking, drinking, drug use (primarily cocaine) and casual sex. He is racist and homophobic. While in the hospital on a work related injury, the doctors discover and inform him that he is HIV+, and that he will most-likely die within thirty days. Ron is initially in angry denial that he would have a disease that only "faggots" have, but upon quick reflection comes to the realization that the diagnosis is probably true. He begins to read whatever research is available about the disease, which at this time seems to be most effectively treated by the drug AZT. AZT, however, is only in the clinical trials stage within the US. Incredulous that he, as a dying man, cannot pay for any drug which may save or at least prolong his life, he goes searching for it by whatever means possible. It eventually leads him to Mexico and a "Dr." Vass, an American physician whose license was revoked in the ...

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Plot Keywords:

hiv | gay community | homophobia | drugs | hiv positive | 

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Taglines:

Dare to Live

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for pervasive language, some strong sexual content, nudity and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English Japanese

Release Date:

22 November 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

The Dallas Buyers Club

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$5,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$260,865, 3 November 2013

Gross USA:

$27,298,285

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$55,198,285

Company Credits

Production Co:

Truth Entertainment (II), Voltage Pictures, r2 films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

117 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jared Leto waxed his whole body for the film.

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Goofs

During the drilling incident with the illegal alien, a red Ford F-150 is visible in the background. That particular model with composition headlamps didn't appear until 1986 at least a year before Ron was diagnosed with HIV. A Saab 900 convertible seen in the background during Ron's first visit to Mexico wasn't imported to the United States until 1987 model year.

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Quotes

Ron Woodroof: Let me give y'all a little news flash. There ain't nothin' out there can kill fuckin' Ron Woodroof in 30 days.

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Connections

Featured in Brows Held High: Mr. Nobody and Living in Bad Faith (2015)

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Soundtracks

Ballrooms of Mars
Written by Marc Bolan
Performed by T. Rex (as T.Rex)
Published by and courtesy of Spirit One Music
o/b/o Spirit Services Holdings, S.A.R.L.

User Reviews

Avoids all the traps of melodrama by being whole-heartedly hilarious at times, with just the proper dose of raw emotion, and performances that will be remembered for ages.

Matthew McConaughey is barely recognizable as Ron Woodroof, an electrician/womanizer who ends up finding out he's contracted HIV/AIDS and has 30 days left to live. After searching deeper for information on a relatively unknown disease (at the time), he finds out that there is existing medication that is not yet approved in the U.S.A. that could help him survive longer.

However, after running into red tape when trying to obtain medication, he decides to smuggle massive amounts of pharmaceutical products and starts selling them to other HIV/AIDS infected patients, creating the "Dallas Buyers Club".

First of all, what a film. Jean-Marc Vallée's "C.R.A.Z.Y." was quite something to watch, but "Dallas Buyers Club" is a tremendous achievement. Vallée's directing is stellar, the script is top notch, and features a palette of characters that makes this story truly engaging and human.

Homophobia, illness, lust, being incapable of receiving proper treatment, smuggling, death, friendship, the limitations of the legal system, these are all themes that would lead one to think that this film is a depressing drama. It is not. And that's where the success of "Dallas Buyers Club" lies. All these themes would make the perfect recipe for a melodrama, wrap it up in a small package with a big star (McConaughey), and put the "Based on a true Story" stamp. But it's so much, much more.

"Dallas Buyers Club" avoids all the traps of melodrama by being whole-heartedly hilarious at times, with just the proper dose of raw emotion, and performances that will be remembered for ages. Half-way through the film, my friends and I looked at each other, in a bit of disbelief, unanimously agreeing that McConaughey deserves an Oscar for this. Jared Leto is also wonderful as Rayon, an AIDS-infected transvestite patient that will become a great friend and business partner, and that will trigger Woodroof's change of vision towards homosexuality. And it is not drastic. It comes in all kinds of subtleties and heart-warming moments. Hats off to Jennifer Garner as well, she is flawless.

Without ever offering a heavy-hearted tone, this is a story of perseverance and positivity with an interesting setting that sheds some light on an often forgotten page of history. Engaging social drama, well-written comedy, and wonderful cinematic experience altogether.